March 10-16, 2005

the bell curve

The Bell Curve

City Paper's weekly gauge of Philly's Quality of Life

Temple's women's basketball team extends winning streak to 24 games. "See what a few illegal screens will do for your program," says coach Dawn Staley.
Plus 5

City Council committee votes unanimously for smoking ban, moving the controversial bill one step closer to passing. Opponents cough in opposition.
Even

Philadelphia police to begin using wireless surveillance cameras to fight crime in Fairmount Park. "Any measure that puts another officer behind a desk with fresh crullers is all right with us," says FOP spokesman.
Even

Mayor signs executive order aimed at giving more city work to minority and female contractors. He finally made it official?
Plus 1

After being cleared of drugging and fondling a former Temple employee, Bill Cosby makes drink-doping joke during a performance. Cos hasn't been this funny since that very special Cosby Show where Theo date-raped a classmate but learned a valuable lesson when Dizzy Gillespie dropped by to straighten him out.
Minus 2

Former Y100 employees go underground to Webcast at www.y100rocks.com. Disappointed when Samantha Mathis fails to show up, take off sweater.
Plus 2

Rendell and state transportation secretary accused of not disclosing an expected $666 million from the federal government. You'd keep quiet, too, if you'd just traded your soul for the Windfall of the Beast.
Minus 2

Wiretapped conversation between Mayor Street and Ron White suggests the two decided to play the "race" card in response to the FBI probe. Must've been all out of "not guilty" cards.

Minus 3

Total pluses: 8
Total minuses: -7
This week's total: 1
Last week's total: 6